Tobacco Free Kerala: 42 per cent cancers in Kerala tobacco-induced

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

42 per cent cancers in Kerala tobacco-induced

Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum and a member of the Tobacco Free Kerala coalition organised a programme called 'Cancer Patients and their Family' on World Cancer Day, February 4.

In her introductory remarks, Additional Director of RCC Dr.P.Kusumakumari said that Kerala’s cancer rate can be reduced if appropriate lifestyle adjustments are made. “As much as 42 per cent of cancers in the State are tobacco-induced and are preventable. While incidence of oral cancers was earlier reported among people over 50 years, it is now seen in persons above 30 years owing to pan masala use. Restriction on tobacco and pan masala is critical,” she added.

Areas including ‘Cancer Prevention’, ‘Counselling and its importance in Cancer Care’, ‘Home Care for Cancer Patients’ and ‘Patient Support and Palliative Care’ were discussed. Surgical Oncologist, RCC, Dr.Paul Augustin; Retd.Professor and Head, Department of Psychology, Kerala University Dr.Krishnaprasad Sreedhar; and Chief Nursing Officer, RCC, Smt. Sreelekha handled the sessions.

Varied queries on cancer prevention, detection and medical advancements were raised by patients and family members in the hour-long open forum that followed the presentations. Medical Superintendent and Radiation Oncologist, RCC Dr.Ramdas.K; Medical Oncologist, RCC Dr.Sreejith Nair; Surgical Oncologist, RCC Dr.Shaji Thomas; Paediatric Oncologist and Addl.Director, RCC Dr.Kusumakumari; Dr.Krishnaprasad Sreedhar; Dr.P.T.Latha, Social Welfare Wing, RCC and Nursing Course Coordinator, RCC Smt.Beena Koshy were the panelists.

Around 200 cancer patients and their family members were present.